Polymers in Civil Engineering - Notes - Civil Engineering (CE)

 Page 1


Polymers in Civil Engineering 
“Poly”  “meros”  =  many   parts  
 
Monomer = non-linked “mer” material 
 
Polymers = long continuous chain molecules 
formed from repeated sequences of small 
organic units (mers). molecular weight in 
excess of 10,000. 
Page 2


Polymers in Civil Engineering 
“Poly”  “meros”  =  many   parts  
 
Monomer = non-linked “mer” material 
 
Polymers = long continuous chain molecules 
formed from repeated sequences of small 
organic units (mers). molecular weight in 
excess of 10,000. 
 
Polymerization  
 
the use of heat, pressure or a chemical 
catalyst to link monomer material into 
polymer chains. 
Page 3


Polymers in Civil Engineering 
“Poly”  “meros”  =  many   parts  
 
Monomer = non-linked “mer” material 
 
Polymers = long continuous chain molecules 
formed from repeated sequences of small 
organic units (mers). molecular weight in 
excess of 10,000. 
 
Polymerization  
 
the use of heat, pressure or a chemical 
catalyst to link monomer material into 
polymer chains. 
Plastic Types 
Thermosetting plastic 
? a polymer material that 
cannot be reformed after 
manufacturing 
? cross linked chain 
networks 
? less creep, isotropic 
? good structural 
properties 
? injection molded 
Thermo plastic  
? a polymer that can 
be remolded after 
manufacturing. 
? softens upon 
reheating 
? substantial creep, 
isotropic properties 
? extrusion (PVC pipe) 
or molding (PET 
soda bottles) 
Page 4


Polymers in Civil Engineering 
“Poly”  “meros”  =  many   parts  
 
Monomer = non-linked “mer” material 
 
Polymers = long continuous chain molecules 
formed from repeated sequences of small 
organic units (mers). molecular weight in 
excess of 10,000. 
 
Polymerization  
 
the use of heat, pressure or a chemical 
catalyst to link monomer material into 
polymer chains. 
Plastic Types 
Thermosetting plastic 
? a polymer material that 
cannot be reformed after 
manufacturing 
? cross linked chain 
networks 
? less creep, isotropic 
? good structural 
properties 
? injection molded 
Thermo plastic  
? a polymer that can 
be remolded after 
manufacturing. 
? softens upon 
reheating 
? substantial creep, 
isotropic properties 
? extrusion (PVC pipe) 
or molding (PET 
soda bottles) 
Natural Polymers 
· wood 
· leather 
· cotton 
· rubber 
· wool 
· asphalt 
Page 5


Polymers in Civil Engineering 
“Poly”  “meros”  =  many   parts  
 
Monomer = non-linked “mer” material 
 
Polymers = long continuous chain molecules 
formed from repeated sequences of small 
organic units (mers). molecular weight in 
excess of 10,000. 
 
Polymerization  
 
the use of heat, pressure or a chemical 
catalyst to link monomer material into 
polymer chains. 
Plastic Types 
Thermosetting plastic 
? a polymer material that 
cannot be reformed after 
manufacturing 
? cross linked chain 
networks 
? less creep, isotropic 
? good structural 
properties 
? injection molded 
Thermo plastic  
? a polymer that can 
be remolded after 
manufacturing. 
? softens upon 
reheating 
? substantial creep, 
isotropic properties 
? extrusion (PVC pipe) 
or molding (PET 
soda bottles) 
Natural Polymers 
· wood 
· leather 
· cotton 
· rubber 
· wool 
· asphalt 
Manufactured Polymers 
Epoxy (thermosetting) 
Polyesters (thermoplastic or thermoset) 
Sulfur Concrete (thermoplastic) 
Methyl Methacrylate (MMA) 
Polyurethane 
Polystyrene (thermoplastic) 
Polyvinyl chloride, PVC (thermoplastic) 
Polyethylene (thermoplastic)